Fashion Plaza Gets Green Light After Marathon Meeting

Plans to revitalize the Desert Fashion Plaza in Downtown Palm Springs are getting the green light.

After a late night for city leaders, council members finally approved John Wessman’s plan around 1:00 a.m. Community leaders shared their praise and concerns about the project during the long council meeting.

The three block long mall will be full of retail stores, restaurants, office space and a boutique hotel.

Dozens of residents voiced their opinions about the project in three minute-long speeches. Most supported the project, but many did raise concerns such as the six story boutique hotel that project proposes. Opponents say the hotel will block the view of the San Jacinto mountains. They also believe its architecture will disrupt the architectural continuity of Palm Springs.

Public comment ended around 10:00, and then the council went into recess. Soon after, the council members began addressing their concerns, in which case Wessman would give an explanation.

Wessman will now submit construction documents to the city by May 31st, 2013, so construction can begin in September.